Thomason: Sleepers & Daily Fantasy Value Plays For Week 11
By Jack Thomason–
(CBS) Let's check out the Week 11 sleepers and daily fantasy value plays.
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins, Redskins (vs. Packers) — The Packers have been absolutely gashed by the pass this year. We saw Marcus Mariota throw up 295 yards and four touchdowns last week, and there's no reason to think Cousins can't do something similar. The Packers defense has allowed the fourth-most touchdown passes the season with 18 and rank 30th in yards per attempt. Look for Cousins -- who's averaging 39 attempts, 301 yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game -- to have a big day at home with an implied team total of 26.5. (FanDuel: $7600; DraftKings: $5800)
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers (vs. Patriots) — In Kaepernick's last two games, he's thrown for 608 yards and rushed for another 78 while adding in four touchdowns. He's topped 20 fantasy points in his last two contests and should have ample opportunity to produce against a weak Patriots secondary, and he always has a rushing floor to fall back on. With the 49ers sitting as 13-point underdogs, Kaepernick will have to be the one to produce for San Francisco to put points on the board. (FD: $7000; DK: $5200)
Running back
Frank Gore, Colts (vs. Titans) — In the last three weeks before the Colts' bye, Gore averaged 18 touches per game and scored four touchdowns. This Titans-Colts game is one of four this week projected by Vegas to cover more than 50 points. Indianapolis is a three-point favorite at home, and that fits the game script you want for your running back. With the work Gore has been seeing on the ground and through the air, plus the likelihood of a touchdown, he makes for nice play at his price point. (FD: $6300; DK: $5000)
James Starks, Packers (at Redskins) — Washington ranks 30th in run DVOA, and Starks came back from injury in Week 10 to play 71 percent of the snaps and found his way into the end zone. He was the clear lead back over Ty Montgomery, and given the Packers can't stop anyone defensively, I'd look for them to attempt to establish the run early and often, making Starks a solid play. (FD: $5500; DK: $4200)
Receiver
Cameron Meredith, Bears (at Giants) — Alshon Jeffery is serving a four-game suspension, so Meredith is back to being fantasy relevant. For a short stint, we saw what Meredith can do when given opportunity. He played 96 percent of the snaps Sunday and made one of his two targets count, with a 50-yard Hail Mary reception. He should step right into Jeffery's role while Eddie Royal and Zach Miller work underneath. The Giants have been tough against opposing receivers, but the Bears are seven-point road underdogs, so there should be plenty of throwing by Jay Cutler while playing catch-up. (FD: $5600; DK: $4100)
Eli Rogers, Steelers (at Browns) — The Steelers are in dire need of a win and should be able to do whatever they want offensively against the lowly Browns. That's where Rogers comes in, as he has tallied 145 yards on 10 catches and added a touchdown in the last two weeks. After a brief hiatus due to disciplinary actions and injury, Rogers has reasserted himself as the third receiving option behind Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. On a high-powered offense, that's not a bad place to be. Look for Rogers to continue his hot streak, but I will say I like him more on DraftKings, due to his PPR prowess and lack of touchdown upside. (FD: $5500; DK: $4300)
Tight end
Martellus Bennett, Patriots (at 49ers) — Bennett has been up and down all season, but with the recent news that Rob Gronkowski may not suit up, he becomes a bargain at his current salaries. While Kam Chancellor covered Gronkowski last week, Bennett caught all seven of his targets for 102 yards and looked every bit the beast he is. He's also healthy after recovering from an ankle injury through the Week 9 bye. If Gronkowski sits, fire up Bennett with zero hesitation. The Patriots have an implied team total of 32 points, and they're going to be unhappy coming off a home loss to the Seahawks. (FD: $5200; DK: $3700)
Zach Miller, Bears (at Buccaneers) — Much like Meredith, Miller gets a boost due to the Jeffery suspension news. Miller was already a favorite of Cutler's, seeing 17 targets over the last two weeks, and now there will be the uptick in volume. The Giants rank 18th in DVOA against the tight end position, and I'd be comfortable using Miller at his current pricing. (FD: $5500; DK: $3800)
Just missed: Tyrod Taylor, Blake Bortles, C.J. Prosise, Dion Lewis, Donte Moncrief, Jordan Matthews, C.J. Fiedorowicz and Zach Ertz.
Jack Thomason is 670 The Score's fantasy football expert and co-host of "Chicago's Fantasy Football Today," which can be heard every Sunday during football season from 8-9 a.m. CT on WSCR-670 and 670thescore.com/listen. Follow him on Twitter @jthomason77 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
